TUCSON, Ariz. - Holly Carriker has been named assistant coach for the University of Arizona women's golf program, second-year head coach Greg Allen announced Friday.

"We are very excited to have Holly join our program," Allen said. "The combination of her background and experience and her wealth of knowledge about the game of golf will make her a tremendous asset to our team. She is definitely going to make a positive impact and help to improve our team."

The 25-year-old Carriker comes to Arizona from La Cantera Golf Academy in San Antonio, Texas, where she worked as an instructor under Bryan Gathright, recently named one of Golf magazine's Top 100 Golf Teachers of 2001. She is a member of the LPGA's Teaching & Club Professional Division.

"I'm very excited," Carriker said about joining the Wildcat program. "I'm looking forward to working with Greg and the girls. I'm also looking forward to setting goals and achieving them with this team."

Carriker, who hails from San Antonio, competed collegiately at the University of Southern California for two years before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin where she completed her final two years of eligibility. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications from Texas in December of 1999.

Upon graduating, Carriker played professionally for two years, competing on the LPGA Futures Tour, the Players West tour and the Ladies Challenge.

Prior to enrolling at USC, Carriker led a successful junior career. She claimed three American Junior Golf Association titles and was named an AJGA first-team All-American in 1993. The Texan was also an honorable mention on the AJGA's 1991 All America team. Carriker wrapped up her junior career with six elite-level tournament championships, including the 1994 Texas State Junior Championship.

Arizona travels to Albuquerque, N.M., to open its fall season at the UNM Dick McGuire Invitational on Sept. 13. The Wildcats return four golfers from a lineup that claimed six tournament championships last season, including the Pac-10 Championship and a 20-stroke victory at the NCAA West Regional.